SB Nation User Blog: wtfitzhomie

It's still a year away ...

wtfitzhomie — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:45:49 -0000

but as of right now, the Men's Basketball team has two predicted 1st round picks with Damion James going 7th and Connor Atchley going 21st according to NBADraft.net.

I use to rip on Connor so much, but it is amazing how much he has improved over the past year. I definitely see him finding a niche as a three point specialist ala Danny Ferry.

I can't wait for the madness in '09.

2009 Nba Draft

Texas on top of both Rivals.com Rankings

wtfitzhomie — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:09:07 -0000

Interesting article on overall performance in 3 main sports.

Rivals

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March Madness Champion

wtfitzhomie — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 06:10:21 -0000

I just started doing a project today for one of my classes regarding correlations, and I just wanted to share my initial research regarding March Madness:

I've researched from the present all the way up till the 1997-1998 year, and I would appreciate it if one of you statistical gurus could look deeper into this. Those Kentucky Wildcats finished the year with a 13 game winning streak. Since 2000 however, I think the highest was 12 (please correct me if I'm wrong).

It's common knowledge, for a variety of reasons, that winning the next game during a winning streak become harder than the previous one, up till the point where the odds make it close to impossible to keep the streak going.

Here are the current streaks of the Sweet 16 teams and what the streak would be if they won the whole Tournament in parenthesis:

NC - 13 (17)
UCLA - 12 (16)
Memphis - 9 (13)
Kansas - 9 (13)
Wisconsin - 12 (16)
Tenn - 2 (6)
Texas - 2 (6)
WSU - 2 (6)
Louisville - 2 (6)
Vill - 2 (6)
Davidson - 25 (29)
Stanford - 2 (6)
Mich State - 2 (6)
Western Kentucky - 8 (12)
Xavier - 2 (6)
WVU - 2 (6)

Kentucky had the 13 game winning streak back in a time where it was still possible for teams to stockpile talent for a whole variety of a reasons (less competition for recruits, lesser technology, etc.) so we will make the 12 game winning streak as the highest in the "Modern Era" and set it as a base. There are obvious flaws in this, but there has to be a max point in the data set. The minimum point is 6 (which has occurred 3 times out of the last ten years, so it isn't exactly an outlier).

I know this is selective data, but even without doing a basic probability distribution, it cames as a great surprise that all four number one seeds have the odds stacked against them when it comes to winning the championship. This is not to say they will not make the Final Four or the championship game; just that the actual probability of them winning the Championship game is extremely low. We can thus also eliminate Wisconsin, Davidson (who ironically will play each other), Villanova, and Western Kentucky (highest seed to win, #8 Villanova in 1985).

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but no coach has ever won the Championship in their first appearance in the Final Four. We can thus also eliminate Tenn, Stanford, WSU, & Xavier.

This leaves us with the teams most likely to win it all this year:
Texas, Louisville, Michigan State, & WVU.

Once again, this is selective data, but your opinions/bashings are appreciated.

Big 12 Coach of the Year

wtfitzhomie — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:02:26 -0000

Yes, our own Rick Barnes, was awarded his third Big 12 Coach of the Year award from the same members of the media who vilified him last year.

Coach of the Year

On a side note, six basketball players were named to the Academic All-Big 12 Team.

First Team:
Connor Atchley
D.J. Augustin
Damion James
Dexter Pittman

Second Time:
Justin Mason
Ian Mooney

Damn, it feels good to be a Longhorn!

Educated, Unlike Aggies

Texas #18 in Coaches Poll

wtfitzhomie — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 17:10:40 -0000

USA Today Poll Texas probably still has a chance to finish in the top 10 if the current trend of upsets continue. I also believe that Oklahoma will lose a game they shouldn't and will not play for the BCS championship.

Breakthrough in Reggie Bush Investigation

wtfitzhomie — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:08:45 -0000

Apparently one of the financiers is about to talk to the NCAA board about what exactly went down.

Case Break

ESPN Predictions

wtfitzhomie — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 21:12:16 -0000

ESPN experts are making their predictions for the BCS Title game and below in parenthesis are the number of votes.

USC over Texas (3)
USC over LSU (3)
USC over Michigan (2)
USC over West Virginia (2)
USC over Oklahoma (1)
USC over Virginia Tech (1)

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/previe...

8/7/07 Practice

wtfitzhomie — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 03:43:00 -0000

Current 1st Team Defensive Depth Chart
DE Orakpo
DT Okam
DT Lokey
DE Lewis
SLB Killebrew
MLB Bobino
WLB Derry
CB Foster
S Griffin
S Jackson
CB Palmer

"Offense wins games but Defense wins championships."

Quick notes from Tuesday:
The offense ruled today. The guys played hard and seemed like they wanted revenge from yesterday. Colt was absolutely on fire as were the WRs (Pittman & Cosby) & Finley.

Chiles and Harris weren't as sharp today although Harris broke a long run against the 2nd team D. Harris will probably win the will the 2nd QB job.

Killebrew was much better today and seemed to be in place.

I was being cautious as to predictions regarding this season, but after these practices, I can confidently say that these guys have worked their butts off during the off-season and they deserve the #4 spot in the coaches poll. This is going to be a great year.

P.S. Even though the offense ruled today, we may have our fastest defense and most competitive defense of the Mack Brown era. There may have been more talent on D on past Mack teams, but this one definitely has the drive and speed to become a daunting defense. These guys are definitely going to push each other to become better. The 2nd team D is quite good in its own right. Although there are quite a few players who have yet to make there mark, this could become a lite version of the '00 Ravens defense that was a monster.

2008 NFL Draft Projections

wtfitzhomie — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 22:01:13 -0000

I think it is possible UT will have more draft picks from last year when it is all said and done. Of course this is way too early, but here are my projections:

Frank Okam, 1st Round
Limas Sweed, 1st Round
Jamal Charles, 2nd Round (If he leaves early)
Tony Hills, 2nd Round
Marcus Griffin, 4th Round
Derek Lokey, 4th Round
Billy Pittman, 4th Round
Drew Kelson, 5th Round
Brandon Foster, 7th Round
Dallas Griffin, 7th Round

Feel free to post your projections.

Superb Website

wtfitzhomie — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 21:05:21 -0000

I have been reading this website for a while and I would like to commend Peter Bean and all the contributors to this website who have made this the best source of information regarding the Longhorns. This is definitely one of the best sport websites I have come upon and I waste hours at work browsing through BON.

On a side note, I really enjoy the commentary that flows back and forth on this website. I've seen a few bashing remarks regarding Mack Brown and Rick Barnes and I would just like to make a comment. Mack Brown and Rick Barnes are probably not the best in game coaches, but they are very few coaches who can match their ability to develop a player. There are some coaches who can flat out coach when it comes to Xs & Os in college, but they have no idea how to develop a talented player. Some of these 5 star prospects completely underachieve in college yet somehow find their groove in the pros. There are others who are collegiate stars because of the system they play in, yet have no real talent and become complete busts when they turn pro. There have been very few busts when it comes to the Longhorns unlike some other schools.

About a year and a half ago, I worked for a few months at a Golf Club where Rick Barnes is in the Board of Directors and I had the pleasure of meeting both Mack & Rick. I asked them what philosophy of coaching they prescribed to. Now Mack is usually a soft spoken person but when he talks, people listen, while Rick is always making wise-ass remarks; however, both believe in the No Nonsense Philosophy. Players get away with nothing. Mack & Rick don't directly discipline the players because many of these players need a father figure who is understanding as some of them may have no father at all or some have fathers who are the classic over-bearing joke trying to live his dream through his kids, but they let the assistants discipline them if they go out of line. Mack told me he doesn't care as much about winning and losing as much as he cares about developing men. He said something along the lines of "If I develop respectful, hard-working players who leave everything on the field, the wins will be a byproduct of their efforts." As for Rick, he treats his players like equals and the players respect him because of it, yet his practices are pretty brutal and they emphasize defense, contrary to what many people believe. There is no doubt that these guys can recruit and develop talent as evidenced by the NBA and NFL Draft and the success of Longhorns while the are pros. And that is a huge part of being a college head coach.